WWW.OpenThouMineEyes.com THE BIBLE VIEW In This Issue: Where Is the Word of God? Untrue Statements about Modern Translations and Versions Examples of Changes in Different Bible Versions Other Volume: 692 February 7, 2019 Where Is the Word of God? Bill Brinkworth One of the most important, yet most controversial topics concerning the things of God, is do the English-speaking people still have the inspired (God-breathed), preserved Word of God with them today? Many shrug this topic off as a subject to be discussed only by preachers or Bible scholars. It is, however, very important to all. If we do not have all the words of God, how do we know that John 3:16 is accurate? Was something added or removed from the verse? Are we really saved, as the Words we have been trusting for salvation may have been altered? Do we know how God wants us to live as the verses that give God s directions to us may also have been changed? If the reliability of God s Word is questionable, we cannot know anything about God s will and way for sure. It is essential that we absolutely know that what we read in the Bible is what God has commanded. We must know we have the entire, word-for-word, preserved, God-breathed Word of God. We must be able to trust all of it wholly. 1
With the availability of over 250+ English translations and versions, and each teaching something different, how can one know where the real Word of God is? A very complex subject cannot be completely answered in this brief article, but some facts can be revealed in making it easier to discern where the Word of God is today. The Old Testament has been preserved by the Jews in the Masoretic, Hebrew-language text long before Christ. The New Testament writings were collected and originally compiled in the Greek Textus Receptus. These two testaments were precisely translated by godly men through history. In 1611, a collection of some of the most godly translators took these texts, compared them with other books, and assembled what today is known as the King James Bible. Later as the English, written language became consistent, the KJB (also called the KJV) went through corrections, mostly spelling, and is the King James Bible we have today. The Word of God has its inspiration preserved in today s King James Bible. However, there have always been those that have corrupted and changed God s Word. Eve did. She added that she was not to touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when God only said not to eat of its fruit (Gen. 2:17, 3:3). Satan got Eve to doubt God s commandments (Gen. 3:4). Another Gospel was preached even during the time of the first churches (II Cor. 11:4, Gal. 1:6-7). Some added their traditions to the Gospel (Mark 7:13). 2
Some corrupted God s Word (II Cor. 2:17). Today the same spirit that has always been around to confuse readers and to alter what God wanted all to know is still perverting God s Word. Although there are many renditions, most have a different origin than the KJV. They have their roots in the Latin translations of the Sinaitic manuscript (331 A.D., rediscovered in 1844 A.D.), the Vaticanus text (around 331 A.D.), the Latin Vulgate, and other writings 1. The influencers and authors of those texts were men such as Origen, whose writings reflect his beliefs that Jesus Christ was a created being and did not have eternal existence as God, Eusebius who introduced tradition into his works, and others who were not dedicated to preserving God s word exactly as it was written. They all interjected their philosophies, rather than accurately translate what was already written. These texts were used as the foundation for most of the 250+ perversions of God s Word. Because the original roottexts were corrupt, there is no way that the translations from them can ever be accurate. That is why most modern versions have words changed, added, and deleted. They convey doctrines that the writer, or the religious organization he is writing for, wants taught rather than what the preserved Word of God says. It does not even make sense that: Until the influx of modern perversions started around 1881, man had been without a copy of God s Word. 3
That many of the liberal translators, some of them with poor Christian testimonies, unsound beliefs, and some denying major doctrines of the Bible (the deity of Christ, Hell, Christ s blood atonement, etc.) would be used to give us God s Word, rather than those spiritual, intellectual giants that helped bring the English world an accurate translation of God s Word in 1611. God would give us a new version that contradicts itself and the preserved manuscripts in many places. That God, who is not a God of confusion (I Cor. 14:33 ) would allow those that are honestly seeking Him to be confused without having a sure way of knowing what He wanted him to know. It does make sense: That we still have the perfect copy of God s Word, just as He promised: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8 That no one should add, alter, or remove His Words (Deut. 4:2, Prov. 30:6, Rev. 22:19). Today, we have the same Words as given by Moses, David, kings, prophets, apostles, and other men God used to preserve His Word. We do not have to doubt if we have it all. God s Word has been preserved and is still available to all that seek it. It is found within the pages of the King James (1611) Bible. 1 Ray, Jasper J. God Wrote Only One Bible, Eugene, Oregon, Eye Opener Publishers, 1983 4
The claims of many of the perverters of the Word of God are to make the Bible easier to read and understand. Today there are fewer that read it and fewer yet that understand it. Untrue Statements about Modern Translations and Versions They make the Bible easier to understand. The King James Bible is at a 5.8-grade reading level (Flesh- Kincaid Grade level indicator). The New International Version is at 8.4. The New King James is at 6.9, and the New American Standard Bible is at 8.1 2. Besides that, it is the Holy Spirit that allows anyone to know God s Word, not man s editing (I Cor. 2:14)! They come from the originals. The originals were never assembled in one place together. They change archaic words. They do but in many places the words replacing them change the meaning of the verse. Since there are less than 20 words in the KJV that are not commonly used today (not including verbs with the added th ). It would make more sense to understand their meaning by the use of a dictionary, rather than to change the whole Bible. Modern scholars now know more than they knew then. Many of the authors of the new versions did not even know Hebrew or Greek nor were they expert in over 10 ancient languages as were many in the 1611 King James translating committee. 5
They come from older manuscripts. The Masoretic and Textus Receptus used in the KJV are the older and more reliable manuscripts, not what most modern versions use. Some of what are called the oldest texts are not reliable at all. Also, some of the most ancient manuscripts are actually over 100 years newer than those used in the KJV. If the new Bible versions are correcting errors, why are all the versions different? Don t they have it right yet? So you are saying that it is only preserved for the English-speaking people? There is a text that comes from the Masoretic and Textus Receptus for all the major languages including: English, Greek, Jewish, French, and Spanish. 2 Riplinger, G. A. New Age Bible Versions, Ararat, VA, 1995 The King James Bible has 783,137 words, whereas the New International Bible has only 727, 969. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. 22:19 Examples of Changes in Different Bible Versions There are thousands of changes in all of the different versions. Here are only a few so you can get an idea as to how man has changed what God has said! 6
King James (KJV): And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:37 New International Version (NIV): Verse removed New American Standard Version (NASB): Verse removed. New World Translation (Jehovah Witness Bible): Verse removed. Revised Standard Version (RSV): Verse removed. New Century Version (NCV): Verse removed. These re-writers wanted to do away with the biblical teaching of baptism! (KJV) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Mat. 1:25 American Standard Version (ASV) and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS. (RSV) but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. (NIV) But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (NWT) But he had no intercourse with her until she gave birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus. Other versions remove wording indicating that Jesus was Mary s first born son. The facts are altered. (KJV) For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Mat. 18:11 (NASB) This verse is footnoted and implies that it should not be there. (NIV) Verse removed. 7
(NWT) Verse removed. (NCV) Verse removed. The important reason for Jesus Christ s coming has been deleted! The way of salvation is removed! (KJV) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Eph. 5:18 New King James Version (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation I thought they were supposed to make it easier to understand. (KJV) Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Daniel 3:3 (NKJV) And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. A difficult word is inserted and facts were changed. If the modern authors are supposed to make the Bible easier to understand, why did 250+ different versions still not make it easy enough. Why do they still feel it was not simplified enough and still requires other versions? 8